Track switch control



Aug. 2, 1932. G c SMTH 1,869,935

TRACK SWITCH CONTROL Filed Jan. 24, 1931 abkomq 17- 5; SIM newton Patented Aug. 2, 1932 STATES U-iT PATENT rrice A GEORGE G. SMITH, O15 STEVENSON, MINNESOTA TRACK SWITGH CONTROL This invention relates to track switches and has special reference to a switch throwing mechanism and stand therefor, the embodiment here illustrated being that admir- 6 ably adapted for the operation of switches in connection with tram tracks, such as used in underground mining, or the like.

The principal object is to produce a more practical device of this character and one susceptible of operation from remote distances from the switch proper; that is to say a switch control mechanism which may be operated from an approaching car or train.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description thereof.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, and wherein like reference characters indicate like parts;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the interior of one half of the improved stand showing the operating mechanism mounted therein:

Figure 2 is an end elevation of a completely assembled stand with a portion of the base thereof broken away for obvious reasons: Figure 3 is a plan view of the reciprocable block within the base of the switch stand; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of that portion of the wirin diagram associated directly with such stand.

The stand comprises two upright members designedto be held together by suitable bolts 5 in the holes indicated at 1 after the operating mechanism is installed therein. The central portions of these members are substantially tri-angular in shape with the flanged marginal walls thereof upon the inner face 0 terminating in the same plane with the marginal walls of the base thereof so that when the two halves are united, these marginal walls and flanges abut, forming a pedestal ,5 like member when assembled and viewed from one end thereof as seen in Figure 2. The base portion of the members extend laterally as well as longitudinally, and are inclined inwardly upon the sides thereof as at 2 towards the upright angle portions 3. do Along the lowermost side edges of the enlarged base of the stand are projecting flanges as at 4 for cooperative engagement with suitable spikes in the ties wherever desired.

Flanges 6 are provided longitudinally of the inclined sides of the central portion through which flanges the holes 1 are formed as before stated, there being no necessity for the bolting together of the base portion other than heretofore stated.

The plan view of the base of the stand is rectangular in form and the sides thereof are provided with longitudinally disposed runways or guideways as illustrated at 7 for the reception of the reciprocable block 8, the side edges of which rest within said runways and the block is freely reciprocable therein. This block is provided with a central transversely disposed staple or inverted U-shaped memher 9 rigidly fixed to the block, and the block is further novel in that the diagonally disposed slot- 10 is formed therein, said slot passing directly through and beneath the staple. I

A switch member 11 is pivotally mounted as at 12 adjacent the upper narrowed slot of the chamber formed by a union of the two halves of the pedestal or stand, and the lower end ofthe lever is bifurcated or slotted as at 13 for overlapping engagement with the upper portion of the staple 9 on the block 8, while the opposite end of the lever 11 extends upwardly and has pivot-ally attached thereto the elongated nut M, which carries in either end thereof the'operating rod 15, which rod 35 may extend any distance in either direction from the switch stand longitudinally of the tram track, accessible to an operator sitting in the motor or on a car traversing the track. Toaccommodate the throw of the lever 11 the chamber in which the latter is mounted is bell mouth shaped above the pivotal connection 12, and to bias the lever 11 in either of its extreme positions, a contractile spring indicated at 17 is provided, one end being connected as at 18 to the lever above the pivotal connection 12 and the other end to a point indicated at 19 at the side of the stand so that stress is applied to the lever in either of its extreme thrown positions. By this connection it is readily seen that it the lever 11 is thrown to either of its extreme positions the lower end will by virtue of its connection with the staple 9 carry the block 8 to either one or the other of its extreme positions in the base of the stand.

Now to apply this motion to the switch point bar of the track, I have provided for the extension of such bar through the side walls of the base of the stand, and the bar illustrated at 20 carrying within the stand the trunnion or pintle 21 extending upwardly therefrom and carrying thereabout a suitable roller 22 engageable within the slot 10 of the sliding block 8, and as the switch stand is also installed longitudinally of the side of the track, reciprocable motion of the block 8 Within the stand having the diagonal slot 10 therein will cause the switch point rod 20 to move back and forth transversely of said stand, thus efi'ectually throwing the switch points of the track; the roller 22 of course providing anti-friction means intermediate of the point rod and the block.

Now inasmuch as it is desirable at times to have signalling means associated with such a switch, I have illustrated in Figures 1 and at a convenient arrangement for such a signal. For example a contact plug such as slim *n at 23 may be installed in opposite ends of the base of the switch stand, and the base being suitably grounded, contact of either plug with the block 8 will close one of the circuits, either that showing the red light or the green light, suitable connection being made with the trolley wire.

It will be noted that in addition to the flanges 6 having holes 1 therein for holding bolts, a pair of lugs 24 having holes therein are provided for securing means to assist in holding the halves securely united, and that the device when thus assembled prevents any dirt or objectionable matter from entering.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. Track switch control mechanism comprising a stand spaced from a track adjacent the switch and cooperatively connected with the switch point bar, a block slidable within the stand for moving said bar, an upstanding swingable lever for operating the block, and a horizontally disposed rod attached to said lever and extending parallel with the track whereby the lever may be operated by reciprocating said rod.

2. A. control for track switches having a point operating bar comprising a twopart separable stand housing cooperatively mounted on said bar to one side of a track, a slidable block directly connected with said bar, an upstanding lever for operating said block, and means attached to said lever and extending parallel with a track, whereby the lever may we operated by moving said means.

ture.

GEORGE C. SMITH. 

